Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
October 23, 2007

UN Envoy 'Encouraged' By Indian Stance on Burma
-----------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=19FB69D:A6F02AD83191E1601C23CFFCA5BD75B19574F7DCC14957C0 Ibrahim Gambari
held talks with Indian government leaders about Burmese government's
violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators The U.N. special
envoy to Burma says he will return to the military-run state earlier
than planned.  Ibrahim Gambari made the announcement after
"encouraging" talks with Indian government leaders about the Burmese
government's violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators.  VOA's
Steve Herman reports from New Delhi.







U.N. Envoy Ibrahim Gambari Ibrahim Gambari's visit is part of a
six-nation Asian tour meant to press New Delhi, Beijing and other
capitals to do more to push for democratic reform in Burma.

India is facing criticism for its mild response to Burma's violent
crackdown on protests led by Buddhist monks.

India sells military equipment to Burma and cooperates with it to
fight separatists active along their common jungle border.  India also
has a surging demand for energy, and is in competition with China to
exploit Burma's oil and gas resources.   

The close relationship has led India to resist calls for sanctions on
its neighbor, telling the U.N. envoy that the government in Burma,
also known as Myanmar, can be nudged toward democracy without
coercion.

Without providing details, Gambari said he considers this week's
meetings with Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,
a success.

"I am encouraged by the undertaking which they have given to do
everything possible to support in concrete terms the good official
role of the secretary-general and use their influence to encourage the
authorities in Myanmar to continue their cooperation and to deliver
tangible result," Gambari said. 

Gambari says he will return to Burma early next month, sooner than had
been expected.  The Nigerian diplomat says he is also encouraged by
some positive moves the government there has made since his urgent
visit in September and October. 

"It may not produce immediate results," Gambari said. "But if you
notice that step by step, the authorities have been responding to some
of the issues that we left with them."

These include removing the military from the streets, releasing many
of those arrested, and giving permission for the U.N. investigator on
human rights to visit.

The United States and European Union are in favor of expanding
sanctions against Burma.  Singapore on Monday rejected calls for the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations to follow suit.

An ASEAN summit is to be held in mid-November and Burma is expected to
be high on the agenda.

Gambari has been to Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia on this trip. 
China and Japan are next on his itinerary. 




.